Lynnwood, WA - Everett entered north region play on Wednesday afternoon against cross-town rivals Edmonds, a program that the Trojans have had the better of over the past four years, winning the last five straight matches and ten of the last eleven. Despite the lopsided numbers, anytime these two programs come together on the pitch, it is always an intense battle to the end. This last match was no different.
On a dreary late September afternoon, the two teams took to the field in Lynnwood for their first meeting of the season and it would be the Tritons squad to strike first in the 19th minute. Everett would get opportunities to score in the first half earning 3 corners and forcing the Edmonds keeper to make 4 saves, but nothing hit home, and the host Tritons went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The Edmonds defense remained stingy through most of the second half, until the 79th minute when the Trojan's leading goal scorer, River Stewart hit the equalizer on a long ball assist from freshman defender Jackson Cole. The goal lifted the sense of urgency almost immediately for the Trojans knowing there was still time left on the clock to complete the comeback win on the road. Moments later River got off another shot on goal, but it was recorded for the Edmonds Keeper's 8th save of the game. Edmonds answered with a shot on goal of their own in the 85th minute, but was collected by freshman Matarr Saho for his 6th save of the game.
The match went a minute and a half into stoppage time when defender Miles Barrett sent a long ball that was first headed by an Edmonds defender, before finding Liam Raney's head. Raney sent a nice touch to River Stewart who made a nifty move to create room from a defender and then chipped it over the goalkeepers reach for his tenth goal of the season. More importantly, it was the goal that would seal the game for the Trojans on the road 2-1.
The win moves Everett up in the standings to one point ahead of Skagit Valley for third place. The Trojans will enjoy the weekend off but will have to come back ready as they are set to host Whatcom who currently sits atop the North standings with a 6-0 record, and 8-0 overall.